"If you graded him out right now, this is his draft class. If he were coming out -- and the quarterback draft class the way it is -- would he be the top guy taken? I think the answer is yes," Scelfo told The Florida Times-Union.

"Ask the scouting departments and the general managers around the league and I think you would end up with a yes on that. Basically at his age, 23, the No. 1 pick in the draft with two years of experience already under his belt. That's pretty good."

Chalk it up as an odd argument. This year's crop of quarterback prospects is widely viewed as average at best. NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah sees only West Virginia's Geno Smith as worthy of a first-round grade -- the falloff from there is sharp.

Sure, Gabbert might fare better than some of these prospects were he plunged back into the draft, but that also ignores the signal-caller's spotty reputation around the NFL. Gabbert has compiled a 5-19 record, while last year's high-octane gang of rookie passers lit up the NFL and changed the way we feel about starting first-year quarterbacks.

Scelfo is attempting to inject a little confidence back into his quarterback room, but until we see genuine growth from Gabbert, the high praise is mere wind.